Site icon Paranormal Papers

USS Hornet

HAUNTED

USS Hornet

USS Hornet

The USS Hornet is a battle-hardened US Navy ship that saw conflict in the Second World War and the Vietnam War. The ship suffered a high number of fatalities, and some suspect that a few of those sailors have continued to serve aboard the vessel from beyond the grave.

History

Built in the early 1940s as part of the USA’s fleet of aircraft carriers, the USS Hornet served in the Pacific Fleet during World War II. As a mobile air base, the ship played a very important part in the war against Japan in the Pacific.

The USS Hornet had an exceptional career, receiving seven battle stars and a Presidential Citation during World War II.

The ship also saw service in the Korean War and last saw combat in the Vietnam War.

In total, the USS Hornet and its air groups shot down 688 planes, destroyed a further 742 aircraft on the ground, and sunk 42 cargo ships and ten destroyers.

Retired on January 15, 1970, the USS Hornet was decommissioned in June of the same year.

Over its 27 years of service, many lives were lost during combat. However, a further 300 men died from horrific accidents and suicide.

The USS Hornet, in fact, has the highest suicide rate of any ship in the US Navy.

The ship’s rather gruesome history could explain why it has the reputation as being the most haunted ship in history. Even confirmed skeptics have admitted to seeing things they simply cannot explain.

Today, the USS Hornet is a national historic landmark and is open to visitors. It remains a testament to the men who risked, and sacrificed, their lives during wartime. Its restoration is an ongoing process.

Cases

In its new life as a museum, permanently moored in San Francisco Bay, the USS Hornet has seen large numbers of tourists and staff members come aboard, many of whom have stayed the night. There have been numerous reports of unusual events and sightings over the years.

Ghostly Crew

Perhaps the most common reports from the USS Hornet concern the alleged sightings of ghostly crew members.

Witnesses have reported being passed in a corridor by a man in a naval uniform. When they have tried to engage the person in conversation, they have been ignored. One lady said there was no air movement as the man she saw walked by, leading her to believe that he was a ghost.

People who have slept on the ship have reported instances of their bed being pushed from below, even if they are the only person in the room or there is no one sleeping below them.

There is also a haunted bunk in the ship’s sickbay, where an unknown ghostly medic has offered to help folks who have lain down on the bunk. The helpful spirit has also tried to bandage people’s arms.

Unexplained Items in Photographs

Some people have said they noticed unusual items in photographs – items that they swear were not there when they took the photographs.

One visitor took a photograph in one of the rooms in the medical wing. There was an empty chair in this room and it was captured in the snap.

On reviewing his photographs, a shiver went down the photographer’s spine. In the chair, he could see the figure of a man in an old-fashioned pilot’s helmet. The man seemed to be tied down.

Another visitor took a photograph of a room containing an X-ray machine. The machine was clearly on, but the cord was not plugged in.

Another photograph showed what seemed to be a human-shaped shadow lying on a bed. When taking another look later on, there was now an axe on the bed that had definitely not been there before. Strangest of all, the photographer says he hadn’t even taken photographs in these rooms.

Eerie Voices

Numerous people have said they have heard voices onboard the ship. These voices are heard in various places and there is no obvious rational explanation for them.

Naval staff have reported hearing ghostly voices near their bunks and in isolated work areas of the ship. Others have said they have heard someone speak to them, only to turn around and realize they are the only person in the room.

A common report is that of hearing men’s voices near the sinks in one of the restrooms. The voices, although indistinct, are recognizably human and are not coming from any other room.

Got something to say about this case? Leave a comment or get in touch if you have new information or media you think we should add.

Videos

YouTube Poster

Photos

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.